Hey YA

Eric and Kelly talk about this year’s slate of Norton Award titles and titles of years past, then dig into the differences between YA and middle grade, explore authors who write in both categories, and top it all off by highlighting YA with younger teen protagonists.

Eric and Kelly discuss the big YA winners at this year’s Youth Media Awards and dig into the (very wrong) New York Times piece about the lack of sex in YA books.

Eric and Kelly talk about the new think piece about the death of YA adaptations, highlight some excellent books from YA authors before they hit it big, and pick out some of their dream author imprints.

Eric and Kelly talk about love stories for YA readers, dig into the whys and hows of music and its power in YA lit, and offer up YA book recommendations for the Read Harder challenge.

Eric and Kelly discuss YA books from 10 years ago, talk about some of the most eye-catching YA book covers hitting shelves this year, and then share the books they wish had seen more love in this year’s deluge of “most anticipated” lists.

Eric and Kelly share YA titles you should read based on your New Year’s Resolutions, dig into a positive NPR piece on teens and reading YA dystopia, and highlight what’s at the top of their January TBR.

Eric and Kelly talk about the recent pulling of THE HATE U GIVE from a Texas school district, YA anthologies are worthwhile reads, and how to be the best book gifter you can be.

Eric and Kelly discuss alternate format YA books, under-the-radar 2017 reads, and talk about why 1997 was a great year in pop culture (with book recs, of course). Sponsored by Not Now, Not Ever by Lily Anderson from Wednesday Books and the Shadow & Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo. 

Eric and Kelly discuss YA books with older protagonists, dig into the first of this year’s “Best Of” lists, and highlight an upcoming online serial YA publication and other online spaces for reading YA short works.

Eric and Kelly talk about Malinda Lo’s annual LGBTQ YA data count, dig into the problem of the media’s take on “suicide” as a “trend” in YA, and highlight the embarrassing stories behind some favorite YA author AOL Instant Messenger names of yore.

Eric and Kelly share their tips and tricks for talking about YA with YA skeptics, talk about good and not-so-good "meets" pitches, and offer up YA horror recommendations. 

Eric and Kelly discuss YA authors who’ve successfully jumped genres, celebrity YA books, and dramatically read from Tyra Banks’s unfinished trilogy “Modelland.”

Eric and Kelly talk about what makes a book a "YA" book, what they do and don't want to see in an all-female film adaptation of LORD OF THE FLIES, and then they rave about upcoming fall YA to pick up. 

Eric and Kelly talk about their first experiences reading YA and what adult authors they'd love to see pen a YA novel in this teaser episode of Hey YA.